Ditch draining device



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1963 Hubert L. E llioff INVENTOR.

BY m mq,

June 22, 1965 H. L. ELLIOTT 3,190,225

DITCH DRAINING DEVICE Hubert L. El/ioh 1N VENTOR.

BY QMao/Ezm WWW 3m June 22, 1965 H. 1.. ELLIOTT 3,190,225

DITCH DRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 14, 1965 3 sheets -sheet 3 8 I. i I 4 "o "I// Hubert L. E lliaff 1 N VEN TOR.

BY @Mwiz um Wavy 19mg United States Patent 3,190,225 r BITCH DRAINING DEVECE Hubert L. Elliott, Aline, Okla. Filed Jan. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 251,112 7 Claims. (Cl. 193-87) This is a continuation-in-part: of application Serial No. 166,063, filed January 15, 1962,- now abandoned.

The present invention generally'relates to pump units, and more particularly to a pump unit specifically designed for use in pipeline construction for the removal ofwater and debris from. the narrow excavated ditches within which the pipesare normally laid.

In the laying of pipelines there is frequently a substantial lapse of timebetween the excavation of the ditch and the laying of the pipe therein, this lapse of time allowing the ditch to become filled with water and debris such as sand, mud and rocks, these materials being of -'a highly abrasive naturethus tending to result in a substantial amount'of wearto conventional excavating equipment normally used to remove the. water and debris.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide. a ditch draining device particularly intended'to operate in a manner resulting inan effective excavation of both water and various types of debris, including sand, mud; rocks and trash, while at thesame time greatly re- (hiding the amount of wear which might be expected from the highly abrasive nature of the material involved.

In accomplishingthe above object, it is contemplated that an impeller-type pump be utilized, the impeller operating at a maximum speed of.600 'r.p.m., both the impeller and the power source therefor being mounted entirely within a narrow rigid framework, this framework beingof a width so as to allow for its lowering into the trench to be excavated. V y 7 Likewise, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a pumping unit which, while relatively simple in construction, is capable of efficient operation over extended periods of time. i i

These together withother objects and advantages which "will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter :described andclaimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the ditch draining device comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevationalview of the device; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the impeller drive means;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross -sectionalview taken through the impeller assembly; i

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken'substantially on a plane passing along line 55 'in FIGURE 4; and 1 FIGURE 6 is a perspective View of one of the impeller blades. I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 11 generally designates the portable pumping unit comprising the present invention, this unit or device 16 consisting basically of a framework '12 supporting and completely enclosing an impeller assembly'14 and a power plant 16. l i

The frameworklz consists of a'plurality of elongated rigid rod-like members preferably of hollow tubular form so as to provide the desired stability while maintaining.

the over-all weight of the device at a minimum. These framework members include two elongated base members 18 provided with upwardly and outwardly sloping ends 2! for facilitating the dragging of the entire unit 19 along the ground if such be deemed necessary. The framework 12 also includes rear, central and forward verticallyeX- tending pairs of members 22, 24 and 26, the forward pair aisazzs Patented June 22, 1965 See of members 26 being substantially shorter and having their upper ends engaged with the forward ends of two longitudinally extending members 28 interconnecting the upper ends of the membersZZ and 24 by means of rearwardly inclined members 30. A centrally located pair of horizontal members 32 are also provided, these members extending the full length of the framework 12 and forming a support for the power plant 16 which is mounted directly behind the central vertical pair of members 24. It will also be appreciated that the framework 12 further includes a plurality of transversely extending members 34 w .as illustrated in FIGURE 1. r 1

, dropping or swinging of the unit against various objects;

As will be appreciated from FIGURES land 2, the framework 12 completely surrounds the impeller'assembly 14, the power plant 16 and the drive means interconnecting the power plant and impeller assembly thus affording a substantial degree of protection in the event of. a

The power plant 16, mounted between and above the horizontal members 32, is to' preferably be a 22 horsepower diesel engine. With attention now being directed to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the power plant drive shaft 36 has the outer end thereof rotatably receivedwithin theenlarged end 38 of the pinion shaft 40, suitable clutch means, only the drum 42 being illustrated, being I provided. The clutch drum 42 is secured to the socket end 38 of the pinion shaft .40 by both a key 44 and setscrew 46, 'a Zerk fitting 48 also being utilized so as to allow'for lubrication. the pinion shaft 49 and has one end thereof secured to the clutch housing 52 and the other end bolted to .the gear i case 54 Within whichthe bevel pinion gear 56 is generally referred to by reference numeral 68 while the lower sealing means is generally referred to by r'eference numeral 78 and consists specifically of asnap ring 72, set collar 74, rotary seal garlock 76, seal v78 and retainer 89. A bronze bearing 82 is also provided about the impeller shaft 60 above the seal'rneansj7ll.

-The' impeller'assembly 14, rigidlyaffixed to the lower end, of the impeller shaft 60, consists of upperrand lower plates 84 and 86 having vertically aligned centrally lo catedintake openings 88 and 99 therein. 'Ihes'eplates 84- and 86 are maintained in spaced relationship by three substantially radially, extending impeller blades 92, these blades 92 being slightly arcuate with the outer portions thereof being substantially rectangular, the upper and lower edges94 extending in a horizontal plane to a point designated by reference numeral 96 at which theu'pper and'lowerfedges converge arcuately toward eachothei' as at 98. As will be appreciated from FIGURES 4 and 5, the points 96 correspond to the circumference of the intake openings 88 and thus'facilitating free passage of the water and debris into the impeller. The water and debris upon entering through the intake openings 88 and S0 is laterally deflected into the path of the blades 92 by a centrally located circular baffle plate 1000f slightly greater diameter than the aforementioned intake openings 88 and 99. It will be noted that the impeller blades 92 include elongated slots 1(92 extending inwardly from the inner edges thereof, these slots 162 receiving the bathe plate for the mounting of the blades 92 there- 'on, these blades 92 being rigidly alfixed,as by Welding, to

the upper and lower plates 84 .and 88 as well as the baffle plate 153%} thus forming an integral impeller unit.

The impeller unit is mounted within a cylindrical hous- A housing 501s provided about for only a minimum clearance between the outer edges of the blades 92 and the side wall 1% of the housing, 7 1 .7 a 7 this clearance being on ,the order of .%th inch and being consistent completely about the periphery of the housing 194; In other words, the wall 11% of the casin or housingltl l is concentric with the impeller. .Two oppositely directed discharge openingsltls are provided throughthe housing wall 1%. A discharge pas sage 11% is provided 'in -communicationwith each discharge. opening 198 and consists of afirst straight, fiat. 'side wall112 extending tangentially to the cylindrical housing 104 at one side of the corresponding opening 108 j 7 and a second straight sidewall extending from the housing.104 at the otherendof the discharge opening 108 a parallel to said first straight side,'this,second side being referred to by'reference'numeral 114;, These passages "110 communicate at theirouter ends; with 'vertica'lly extending pipes 116 which in turn communicate with an enlarged discharge header .118 positioned above and I forward of theimpeller assembly 14 for connection to "a suitable discharge hose: or other means for disposing of the excavated material.

Turning again to the impeller housing 1514 as seen in FIGURES '4-and 5, it will-be noted that-this housing.

includes abottom wall 120 having a central aperture 124 therein corresponding to the intake opening ,90 so tom wall. 120 also forming the bottom wallifor the passages 110. The top wall125 is also provided with debris through both the top and bottom of the housing.

another significant feature residing in theprovision of 'only a minimum clearance, for. example, onthe ,order" of /sth inch, betweenjthe .blades and the housingwall 'so as toinsure a positive displacement of .all of; the

Because 1 of this particular arrangement and the efliciency of the impeller assembly resulting therefrom it is. contemplated 1 that this impellerbe. run at; slow speeds'of no'more than 600 r.p.rn.,' this resulting in a substantial reduction fas to allow for the entering of water and debris, this -bot- 'an aperture 128 therethroughsimilar to the aperture 124 wear which would normally result from the highly abrasive nature of the materialsbeing discharged; Referring again'to the over-all device, 10 as best seen; i in FIGURES 1 and. 2', f it will be noted that a transverse lifting plate'134 is rigidlyaffixedto the frame WOIk 12 and includes an opening 136 therein within which a lifting .means, such as 'a'cran'e, is releasably engaged for lifting; and moving the entire device 10, both the impeller as-. sembly 14 and power- 'plant' 16 being effectively pm tected against injuryby the .surroundingframework 121 'in the event that the device 10 is accidentally released. From the foregoing,iit 'will be readily. apparent that a "novel ditch pumping unit has beenldefined, this unit ineluding. an impeller type assembly which, while of gen-f "erally simple .construction,=is believed to constitute a signifiicant advance inthe art.-' The assembly consist-- ing basically gofv threeimpellerblades rotating 'within} a concentric cylindrical housing .having two oppositely,

directed discharge openings with the blades and discharge: openings being related in such a manner was to insure 7 that the radial chambers formed by the blades are at'all j times in communication with at least one of the openings water and debris introduced into the impeller.

v .in the 'wear resultingifrom the highly abrasive ,nature This top wall 126 'consists'of a circular member haying a .diameterlarger than the diameter of the housing 104 and being releasably bolted. thereto by bolts 130 extending through the top wall 126 at peripherallyspaced points and through a top plate .132 integrally formed f with the'housing and passage .walls, the entire impeller assembly 14 being rigidly secured to theenlarged lower end of the impeller shaft housing 62 by support .arms 134 welded to both the; housing 62. and the top wall. 126, the support arms 134 being outwardly arched so as to avoid any interference with the intake of. water and debris into the impeller assembly 14.

of the discharged. material heretofore normally -en- "countered insuch operations. f i

In operation, the device islowered into a ditch with the I impeller assembly being submersed into the material to 'be discharged'this material, consisting of waterysand, mud, stones and other debris, entering intothe housing through the upper and lower intake openings. and sub- "sequently being deflected outward by the. centrally located lbaflie plate for discharge throughthe discharge openings by the'impeller blades, the discharged material subse- With continuing reference to FIGURES 4 and .5, it

iwill be noted that three blades 92 are provided, theblades 92 and discharge openings llls beingso related as to. insure'that the radial chambers formed between adjoin ing blades 92 are at no time out .of communicationwith either one or the other of the discharge openings 108. For example, it will be noted that as the blade A passes beyond the juncture between the'wall 114 and the housing side 1126, the blade B has already passed the juncture between the wall 112 and the side wall106 of the housing; .This is deemed highly significant in that by such an arrangement.the water introduced into the. impeller is'allowed to expand evenly with no water. or debris being trapped within a chamber soas to require "the carrying *or pushing of'statiOnary or dead water. Also of significance, is the provisionof only. a minimum amount of clearance between the. impellerr blades and the casing thus enabling a much more positive displacement of the water and debris as the blades rotate. The greatly im- 'proveddischarg'e resulting from the use of a minimum clearance, on the order of %th of an inch completely about the periphery of the housing 104,:in conjunction with the use of three blades'92 related to the discharge opening 108 in such a manner so as to insure that the radial chambers are at all times in communication with one or the other of the discharge opening enables the operation of the impeller at relatively low' speeds with the maximum necessary; speed being approximately 600 r.p.m.', this slow speed greatly reducing the amount of quentyexiting throughthe discharge pipe anddischarge header. Thesucking of the water into the impeller chamber and the subsequent discharge. of the water. therefrom is effected in a smooth and continuous flow withoutinter- 'ruption of. flow normally encountered by the necessity of moving trapped water within chambers not incom munication with. a. discharge opening. 7 The foregoingis considered as illustrative only of th principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and-changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit-the invention tothe exact construction and operation shown andidescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within thev scope of the invention as claimed. c

f What is claimed as new is as follows: '1; A portable pumping unit comprising a vertically orientated impeller assembly, a power plant for said impeller assembly, said power plant being located adja cent said impeller, assembly, means operativelyjcon:

necting said power plant and said. impeller assembly, said impeller: assembly including a circular housing, a plurality of. discharge openings in said housing, fan impeller positioned within said housing, a vertically extending shaft onpsaid impeller foperatively associated with the power. plant for effecting rotation of the impeller, said impeller including a plurality of radially extending blades forming a pluarility of radial chambers,

' said bladesbeing arranged so as to provide for a coni stant direct communication of eachchamber with one or 3 another of the discharge openings, and a framework, said impeller assembly and. power plant; being mounted Within said framework, said framework completely surrounding a communicating with said discharge openings, each of said passages being formed by a first straight side wall extending tangentially from the circular housing, and a second straight side wall extending from said housing parallel to and spaced from said first side wall, the discharge openings consisting of those portions of the housing between the parallel side walls.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said blades are of a length so as to allow for only a minimum clearance between'the ends thereof and the surrounding housing throughout the entire circumference of the housing.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein there are two discharge openings and three impeller blades.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein the means operatively connecting the power plant and impeller assembly includes a gear reduction unit so as to enable the operation of the impeller at a slow speed.

7. An impeller assembly including a circular housing havingside, top and bottom walls, two oppositely directed discharge openings being provided through the side wall, a discharge passage communicating 'with each discharge opening, each passage consisting of a first straight side extending tangentially from the circular housing at one end of the corresponding discharge o'pening,and a second straight side extending from the housing at the other end of the discharge opening parallel to said first straight side, an impeller positioned substantially concentrically within said housing, a vertically extending shaft on said impeller adapted for engagement with a source of power for effecting a rotation of said impeller, said impeller including three radially extending blades forming three radial chambers, the relationship between the width of the discharge openings and the arrangement of the blades being such so as to provide for a constant direct communication of each chamber with one or the other of the discharge openings, said blades being of a length so as to position the outer ends thereof at a substantially constant minimum clearance from the housing side wall between the point of engagement of each of said second straight sides of the discharge passages and the point of tangential engagement of the first straight side of the other discharge passage.

References Cited by the Examiner.

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Emeny 103-103 LAURENCE V. EFNER, Primary Examiner. ROBERT M. WALKER, Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE PUMPING UNIT COMPRISING A VERTICALLY ORIENTATED IMPELLER ASSEMBLY, A POWER PLANT FOR SAID IMPELLER ASSEMBLY, SAID POWER PLANT BEING LOCATED ADJACENT SAID IMPELLER ASSEMBLY, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID POWER PLANT AND SAID IMPELLER ASSEMBLY, SAID IMPELLER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A CIRCULAR HOUSING, A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE OPENINGS IN SAID HOUSING, AN IMPELLER POSITIONED WITHIN SAID HOUSING, A VERTICALLY EXTENDING SHAFT ON SAID IMPELLER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER PLANT FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF THE IMPELLER, SAID IMPELLER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING BLADES FORMING A PLURALITY OF RADIAL CHAMBERS, SAID BLADES BEING ARRANGED SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A CONSTANT DIRECT COMMUNICATION OF EACH CHAMBER WITH ONE OR ANOTHER OF THE DISCHARGE OPENINGS, AND A FRAMEWORK, SAID IMPELLER ASSEMBLY AND POWER PLANT BEING MOUNTED WITHIN SAID FRAMEWORK, SAID FRAMEWORK COMPLETELY SURROUNDING SAID IMPELLER ASSEMBLY AND POWER PLANT. 